Well I'm intrigued. I like how you write Ryou. It's kinda hard to explain how, but I feel like you've got him just right. Not too cutesy, just very calm and collected. You also write Bakura well, but I think he's an easier character to write for most people.

Also, wouldn't Malik be a rather good duelist? He dueled Yugi several times while controlling various mind slaves after all. I suppose the card thing could be a legitimate issue.

So Malik wants to sell the Blue Eyes card but Bakura wants to use it in a ritual? Yeah, I'm still confused.

The fact that the rod doesn't work on Kaiba is a reference to the Millennium World arc right? Bakura is still quite the jerk. Way to throw people's souls around...

Well then. Turns out my guess wasn't far off. I've got to wonder about Malik's motivation though. What are he and Bakura up to?

Soooo confused! It seems like my previous statement about Malik faking his kidnapping might not be so far off after all. Either that or Yami Marik is the one driving the car. I'm at a loss.

Yeah, I could see Yami bribing Kaiba that way. The number is from Duellist Kingdom, eh? Well that was unexpected.

Poor Anzu, she and the friendship squad are left behind.

Ah the drama! I'm surprised no one wondered if Malik didn't just fake his kidnapping to get the rod back. I don't think he would, but I could see Jou or Honda being suspicious. Hmm, oh well. Time to read on!

nyuuuu

kind of disappointed that there was no lemon, however not that much.

I knew Bakura was going to get his own body...even if it was unintentional. Explaining this to the others is going to be interesting

I have a funny feeling that maybe Bakura wants to use the card to get himself a body, but then I might be wrong. So many twists and turns. Malik setting up his supposed kidnapping to get his rod back, Bakura obviously stealing the ring back, and poor Ryou has to get dragged around in this with no say in the matter.

Very eager to keep reading

They must have the sweetest unhealthy relationship in history. I giggled the whole time while reading this, it's just that cute.

I appriciated the bit about Ryou's self-destructing tendencies, just in case you yay for fluff that still manages to be disturbing, or at least not totally idealistic (I'll admit I'm not disturbed. as long Ryou's happy I am, too).

Oh, and since I think I haven't said this in a long time:

I LOVE THIS STORY 3

(Who cares abou morals, anyway?)

Nobody died! Things were explained. Everyone behaved, and there wasn't even a card game!

You actually did it. You wrote a happy ending. I never thought I'd live to see the day.

(Except if the epilogue consists of Ryou, after succesful thereapy, deciding to leave the other two. And then Bakura snapping and killing if Bakura doesn't kill anyone, it would still count as a bad ending, btw.)

And now is quoting time:

"What?" Ryou sat up straight; he'd been attentive but silent throughout all this. "No! I don't want, if you don't have to – I think maybe Malik and I can, if we're there..." He trailed off. "I don't want him gone," he said. Bakura stared at him; he still felt the savage, protective kind of tenderness as he always had, except that now that this was no longer his body, there was no longer a logical reason for it.

Awww, Ryou.

And you used the word *tenderness*! I might have squeed. It's just too perfect.

And YES, Kisara, and Kaiba (you write him spot on. It's amazing) and Pegasus.

But mostly this:

"He's lying," Malik told Ryou, and smirked into Bakura's annoyed face. "We'll find out, you know.

Now I go read the epilogue.

Awww! So cute! ;) Sorry for not reviewing the last chapter; I've been so busy and then kind of died on me... *grumbles* Anyway, I'm here now!

Don't do yourself down; I really liked the ending to this. It was sweet- especially the epilogue, with them all living together... The happy ending junkie in me is completely satisfied! xD!

It's very strange that this story is over (I'll miss it! *sobs*) but you did excellently, even with the massive long break! I really enjoyed reading it- the concept was unusual and enjoyable, characterisation was fantastic and the entire hung together well.

Really, really well done on finishing such a great story. I loved it! :D

*hugs and sparkles*

Bookworm

Aw, I think Bakura deserved it...he went through a lot of terrible stuff in his life, so a lot of his actions were understandable. I wish the anime/manga had ended like your fic, instead of ending how it actually did.

Anyways, good fic, I enjoyed it overall!

Why must you over-simplify what this story was about in your last author's note? Please give yourself more credit!

Here's what I think it's about- in one word, redemption. It's about people with (major) flaws, slowly changing without realizing it, yet still royally messing up along the way. I like that no one is perfect here, and you do an excellent job of communicating that. Bakura is still Bakura in a way, and the same goes for all the other characters.

I'd have to say a sparkling moment in this chapter was a humorous one, when Malik said something along the lines of, "Bakura's understandably upset the world isn't going to be destroyed." It's poking fun at something that would have been taken seriously not too long ago. We all know Bakura doesn't want the end of the world, obviously, because he's mortal and he's probably too in love with himself to have his life severed so quickly! Ideally, it's probably more than that, but Bakura is still loveably egotistic :)

The verdict? I say this epilogue is a win. It gave me the assurance I need that lets me know the relationship between Ryou, Malik, and Bakura is pretty damn secure and their "new" life together won't be easy, but certainly interesting. This gave me all the closure I needed and I love you for it! Thank you for writing out this whole story from start to finish- that's a huge accomplishment and I envy you for your persistence!

Well first off, I am very happy that you updated. You have a wonderful artistic style and the plot is full of fun twists and turns. The characterization, as always, is spot-on and I especially loved how you mentioned Bakura felt vulnerable as a "mortal" without making him any weaker in spirit or personality.

I think a really powerful moment was when Ryou told the group he wants to be with Malik and Bakura; I'm sure they were shocked and incedulous (hence, Yuugi wants Ryou to see a therapist!). I sort of wish that there would be some sort of conversation between Ryou and Bakura to further assure the reader there is a stronger bond between them then he (Bakura) let on, but then again, we know Bakura isn't one to confirm such things. So I'll have to give you props for being so adament in Bakura's characterization.

All in all, this story was very satisfying to read, and loose ends were tied. I am looking forward to this epilogue, though, because I feel like it's needed to give me a better sense of what future lies ahead for Ryou, Malik, and Bakura. I guess I'm worried because the final line of this chapter stated that "as least for now" Ryou could believe in what future lies ahead for them all. I was the "at least for now" part that has be worried! I need this epilogue to show me a happy ending is actually a reality for our main characters.

So I do love this story (like a lot), and I think you are a very gifted writer. If I could have even a fraction of your artistic direction and writer's sense, I'd be good to go! :)